Tight end O.J. Howard to return for senior season
The University of Alabama’s passing game is getting another top target back for the 2016 season. Tight end O.J. Howard tweeted on Monday that he would return for his senior season rather than enter the 2016 NFL draft.
He was Alabama’s third-leading receiver in 2015, catching 38 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns. The former five-star recruit was quiet for much of the season, but exploded in the College Football Playoff. He had three catches for 59 yards in the Cotton Bowl before having the biggest game of his career against Clemson.
Howard was named the most outstanding player on offense for his performance in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship. He had five catches for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns.
His touchdowns were on long throws of 50 and 51 yards, and he also had a 63-yard catch and run that picked up a crucial first down late in the game. Howard caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage but outran several Clemson defenders on that reception.
Howard started eight games combined during his freshman and sophomore seasons, producing 31 catches for 529 yards in his first two years on campus. He became more productive during his junior season, but didn’t break out until the national championship.
With his return, the Crimson Tide will return its top three pass-catchers from 2015. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who set a school record with 1,045 yards as a freshman, also returns, as does junior wide receiver ArDarius Stewart. He finished the year with 63 catches for 700 yards and four touchdowns.
Only junior running back Derrick Henry and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson had previously announced their intention to enter the 2016 NFL draft rather than play their senior years at Alabama. Monday was the deadline for underclassmen to declare their intent for the 2016 draft, but a list of underclassmen who have entered the draft will not be made public until Friday, Jan. 22.
The 2016 NFL draft will be held from April 28-30 in Chicago.